Finding gems buried in draft

By Tom Pedulla

April 25, 2011

Teams that enjoy success in the NFL draft are able to delve beyond obvious first-round selections to find overlooked talents in the middle rounds and later who can be developed into impact players. USA TODAY's Tom Pedulla joins them in a weekly search for Draft Gems leading to the April 28-30 selection process at New York's Radio City Music Hall:

K Alex Henery

• Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 175

• School: Nebraska

• Hometown: Omaha

• Key statistic: Converted all 14 of his postseason field goal attempts.

• College highlights: Set NCAA record by making 89.5% of his field goal tries (68 of 76). Also set NCAA mark for accuracy on extra points, missing once in 194 kicks. First-team All-American went 18-of-19 on field goals last season. Lone miss was a blocked 51-yarder. Walk-on closed career with three successive 100-point seasons and set school record with 397 points. Strong punter as well, averaging 43.2 yards per boot.

• Upside: Possesses length strength, accuracy and poise to be a money kicker and a difference-maker in big games.

• Downside: Did not handle kickoff duties at Nebraska, a hole in the resume that may concern some teams.

• Projected round: Sixth.

• Coach's quote: "He's very calm under pressure. He faced a lot of big moments for us, and he always came through." —Nebraska special teams coordinator John Papuchis

• Draft expert: "Henery is the top field goal kicker to come out of the college ranks in the last few years. His accuracy is outstanding." —Rob Rang, senior analyst, NFLDraftScout.com